Times like these, when we're down on our luck, it's important to remember there are still those who are even less fortunate... Panthers fans.

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Anders Lindback allowed 2 goals on 39 shots for the win. Stat line looks good. Second goal allowed was kind of ugly. But, he made the key stop on a late Third Period breakaway to preserve the win. For as much hand wringing as there is about Anders, he's got a winning record.

The Lightning were outshot 39-13 (not a typo) in the contest, but still walked away with the win. Normally, I'd be outraged by that, but then imagine how Panthers Fan must feel like God truly hates him and his team. Then I laugh and feel a little better.

Alex Killorn had 2 assists and was +1 with 2 penalty minutes and 6 hits in 16:08.

1 goal and 1 assist by former NHLer and current SKA captain Dimitry Kalinin put the final nail in the coffin for Cherepovets in their 4-2 Game Four loss to St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg also got a goal from former Lightning forward Evgeny Artyukhin. Ex-Lightning draft pick Denis Kazionov did have a goal in defeat for Severstal. He finishes his playoffs with 2 goals and 3 points in 9 games with 56 penalty minutes and a even rating. SKA is the first KHL team through to the Conference Finals round of the Gagarin Cup Playoffs.

Michael Garnett stopped all 24 shots he faced to lead Chelyabinsk to a key 3-0, Game Three win over Omsk. Ex-Lightning netminder Karri Ramo stopped 17 in defeat. Nikita Nesterov did not dress for the match for Traktor. Game Four is Wednesday.

Brendan Mikkelson is looking forward to the stretch run and playoffs, even if it is in the American Hockey League.

Mikkelson, who had trouble consistently cracking the Tampa Bay Lightning lineup, cleared waivers and was sent to the minor leagues Monday. The Regina native arrived in New York Tuesday, ready to refocus and rejoin the Eastern Conference-leading Syracuse Crunch.

Playing just four games with the Lightning this season, Mikkelson may stay in Syracuse through the Calder Cup playoffs, which would be his first time playing in the postseason since his rookie year with the Portland Pirates in 2007-08.

“I haven’t played in a week or so now,” Mikkelson said. “Hopefully I’ll be in the lineup and can contribute, and be someone who helps the team.”

We continue our Prospect of the Week award, an honor (virtually) given to one Tampa Bay Lightning prospect for their recent contributions on and off the ice.

The Prospect of the Week for March 12 is … Radko Gudas, D, Tampa Bay (NHL – USA).

Lightning prospect followers have waited both patiently and impatiently for Radko Gudas to be called up to Tampa Bay, and it finally happened on Monday – but that’s not why he’s our Prospect of the Week.